The narrative of the newest war in Europe seems to be clear: it is good against bad; democracy versus dictatorship; an underdog in battle with a tyrant. A European nation is under an existential attack. On one side is Vladimir Putin, at the end of a very long table, an autocrat who has been described … More Trying to make sense of the narratives of war
First stop is lunch at The Skinny Kitchen – decent food and cracking crockery, but both its atmosphere and smiling staff are lacking (I guess the clue was in the name). There is no such mediocrity in the Cathedral – a beauty disguised by scaffolding. The whole complex is undergoing more than a mere facelift, … More Canterbury, Thomas and Gormley
The seaward-looking statue that sits at the Battle of Britain Memorial to the east of Folkestone wears a flying jacket which purposefully obscures both his nationality and rank. One-fifth of Fighter Command battling against the German offensive was not British, and most airmen were inexperienced. This pilot’s unwavering gaze in the face of an unremitting … More Scramble
An escape to Kent seems a bit tame at just an hour down the road and without leaving our home county, but we Kentish Maids and Men are venturing to where the Men and Maids of Kent reside. So it should be a little different … Day One keeps us indoors with Storm Dennis lashing … More Tame in Kent
Just as Brexit discussions are finally commencing in Brussels, four Europeans are executing a complete transformation of our garden, in full blast of a fierce heatwave. They toil determinedly for long hours, sweat trickling in streams down their temples. Cheerful and polite, they unearth and present us with museum pieces from the last century which … More European Gardeners
Our bickerthon ends the second we see our son’s sunny, smiling face soaring out of school. He opens the car door just as our faces remember to match his. We turn to his bright words: “Dad – we’re going to OSLO!” The tired Friday afternoon traffic doesn’t slow him at all. His mind is zipping with thoughts of seafaring Vikings – … More Oslo – Utepils, Vikings and Monty Python
Saturday mid-afternoon: an English Village Green post-Brexit Relentless raindrops darken the blue of my denim jacket as a merry string of gazebos tries its best to shelter damp groupings of plucky people: here we will huddle until the storm is over. Raw flashes of lightning threaten to rip the gazebo seams apart. Then dramatically charged crashes … More Pimms, a Tug of War, and Brexit
I’m waiting for my boys to come home from Brussels. They departed on a very early Eurostar train on Saturday. We saw a beautiful sunrise as we drove along the motorway to Ashford International, listening soberly to the radio with its half-hourly news bulletins still focusing on the recent attacks that had hit the Belgian capital. My boys have had … More Brussels Calling
Another perfect family holiday? … More Imperfect Family Travel
Have Paprika, Will Travel 